SOL 2016, D31

It’s time for a final reflection. This has been quite a month and I have to say that I am quite proud of myself for meeting the challenge. I actually wrote and posted something every day – all 31 of them. Even with the added challenge of spotty wifi during spring break, I pulled it off!!

But oh, what a learning curve. It wasn’t until about Day 8 that I read the fine print defining a ‘day’. Several of my first posts were published before midnight my time, the end of my day – not the end of a Slice of Life day. But I am not in this for prizes. I truly did this for the challenge of writing every single day. I still got it posted by the end of my day.

It seemed like I was consistently the only frantic post late at night. And then I would see that people were posting at 2am! I felt so unorganized. Was I the only one who wrote at night? Around Day 10, I learned that many of you write your post the day before and then just post it when you get up (or in my western time zone, when I go to bed). Ah – you pre-planners!!! I was already in the habit of writing at night and reflecting on that day. It didn’t feel right to post tomorrow what happened today so I kept up with my late night comments.

And then, I am not kidding here so laugh with me not at me, I didn’t realize until about Day 22 that if you click on the blue ‘comment’ button on the bottom of the daily email from TwoWritingTeachers, you don’t have to scroll all the way down to find the comment bar; it automatically takes you there. Seriously?!?! For someone who mostly posted late at night, that was A LOT of scrolling!!! I get it now. Game on for next year. I’ve got the tricks down!

I really tried to do my 3 comments a day. I truly read more than 3 posts every day. I was nowhere near the hundreds that the comment challenge winner logged, but I did read a lot.

I need to insert here a sincere apology to all those who blog on blogspot. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to comment on your wonderful writing. I know it has to do with the browser I am using but I am an old dog whose old Mac doesn’t like changing browsers. I couldn’t tackle that challenge. So, if you were a blogspotter – I read what you wrote, I loved your words and your magic. I just couldn’t leave you a written comment.

I actually enjoyed writing every day. I found myself ‘writing’ throughout the day as something struck me as worthy of sharing. I looked at the world through a different lens and was surprised by how that forced me to engage more thoughtfully. I found myself trying to put words to what I saw instead of snapping a photo or just visually absorbing. Instead of being reactionary, I allowed moments to be soaked up. I found more humor, more insight, more connection, more beauty and more meaning in the world around me.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone who responded to my posts. You filled my soul in a way I really didn’t expect. I guess I need to know that someone each day has heard what I have to say and, more importantly, acknowledged it. That really blew me away. I felt like I made friends this month with people who got me, who related to me, and who supported me. I am so very grateful for that unexpected benefit.

Thank you all for filling my cup.

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10 thoughts on “SOL 2016, D31”

Congratulations! You made it through your first March SOLSC. Your reflections are great in that you showed what you learned as you went (what counts as a day and the comment button). My favorite part is that you are ready planning for next year. I agree, once you have lived through it and know what is coming it just gets easier. (Though some years are easier than others, both depending on your writing muscles and what is going on in your world.) I hope you will continue to slice on Tuesdays.

It was fun to read your posts and as you noted we will all take our learning forward with us! I was one of those nighttime posters and writers too, it’s just that my night is in a different time zone than yours. Now you have confirmed for yourself that you can accomplish your goals!

Congratulations! Last year I was one of those late night posters as well. It amped up the stress for me! This year I discovered that writing the night before, then revising and posting in the morning really helped me–especially during report card week and conference week! This line from your post resonated with me: “I found more humor, more insight, more connection, more beauty and more meaning in the world around me.” Writing is a powerful agent of change, isn’t it? I also related to your final line: “Thank you all for filling my cup.” Sharing a writing community is amazing!!! Congratulations again–I hope to see your slices on Tuesdays throughout the year!

I loved reading your reflection on the challenge, Molly. I’m glad it was a month that was worth your while. So super that you learned some tricks (e.g., post the night before and link in the morning) to make it more manageable.

Sounds like you’ve become a Slicer! So glad you got good feedback on your daily Slices; that makes all the difference. It gives you the confidence to keep going, knowing that someone out there “gets” you, and even likes what you’ve written. It’s a wonderful world to be part of. Congratulations on your persistence.

Love your final slice! I too, am a west coast slicer and am always struggling to post before 9:00. But, seriously?!?! There’s a blue button to scroll down to the bottom? I never knew. But at least it got me introduced to a wide variety of writers. I sometimes would treat the touch pad like a roulette wheel and I got a chance to read so many different bloggers! Congrats on finishing the month!